Tag: heal

What Is a Backslider?

What Is a Backslider?

A backslider is someone who has reversed their direction in a given area.  In terms of Christian faith and life, it usually refers to a person who at one time had a vital, meaningful relationship with Jesus as their Savior but who has turned away from the values of following Christ and living a moral, upright life. 

But the Lord says, in the verses below, that He loves the backslider, that He is married to them, and that He will heal their condition by bringing them back to Himself.  Glory to God!

Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you.  (Jer 3:14a)

Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.  (Jer 3:22a)

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely . . .  (Hos 14:4a)

This turning away from faith may happen if a person isn’t connected to a church or a body of believers with whom to fellowship.  It may also occur if someone becomes neglectful about Bible reading, prayer, and praise and worship.  These are all forms of communication with the Lord, and any relationship will wither and collapse without ongoing, regular communication. 

So we can’t allow our affections for the Lord to cool down by discarding the habits that uphold and sustain our faith in Jesus.  It’s always good to review our conduct occasionally to make sure that we’re making decisions that will positively impact our life of faith.  Our life habits should sustain and nurture our Christian faith, so guard them well.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord . . . (Ac 3:19) Our sympathetic Savior is happy to restore and to revive our relationship with Him at all times.  And He says that times of refreshing will follow, times of rejuvenating the relationship with Him and pouring out grace upon you to inspire you in fresh ways.

Anyone who has backslidden from their faith in Christ has hope.  The Lord is loving, merciful, and kind.  He longs for us to return to Him and to reestablish our relationship with Him—the God who is love.  (1 Joh 4:8)  God bless you.

How to Deal With Offenses

How to Deal With Offenses

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  (Ps 32:1)

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.  (Pro 19:11)

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  (Mat 6:15)

Some synonyms for the word OFFENSE are:  crime; wrongdoing; transgression; insult; affront; barb; attack; sin; or assault.

When we offend someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it is crucial for us to seek to understand how it happened, and to try to soothe and calm the situation.  This can only happen through the grace and wisdom of God.  The Lord will help us and support us with His guidance so that we may work through these situations.

Seek the Lord and pray for His wisdom and guidance in dealing with any offense that you have committed.  Ask the Lord to forgive you, and ask Him to give you wisdom, and also ask Him for divine favor with the person whom you have offended. 

Go to the person that you’ve offended and ask them to forgive you.  Be sincere in your apology, and remain contrite during any discussion so that the person may see that you are truly seeking reconciliation.  Try, as discreetly as possible, to understand what exactly gave offense because you seriously don’t want to repeat it.

If you are the person who is offended, think about what happened and determine what specifically made the exchange offensive or hurtful to you.  Take it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to heal the wound and to give you His grace to forgive the person who offended you.  He is the Prince of Peace and will bring His peace to your situation and to the relationship if you will put it in His hands.

If the person asks to meet with you, agree to it.  When they ask you to forgive them, do it as unto the Lord.  If the person isn’t a Christian or doesn’t seek reconciliation, then it’s a matter best handled between you and the Lord.  You can forgive and release that person from their offense, and the Lord will see your heart and your sincerity.  He will bless you for your obedience to His Word.  (Ps 32:1; Pro 19:11; Mat 6:15)

We keep short accounts by reviewing the day’s events in the evening.  In a quiet time with the Lord, determine if there are any offenses that you committed and if any were committed against you.  Try to deal with them as quickly, Biblically, and wisely as possible. 

It’s vital that we live in such a way that we don’t give offense to others because in 1 Corinthians 10:32 and 2 Corinthians 6:3 we’re instructed to be inoffensive to all. 

Know God = Have Strength & Courage

Know God = Have Strength & Courage

Pursuing a deep, profound knowledge of God and His nature will impart courage and strength to your soul.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Josh 1:9)

. . . the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.  (Dan 11:32b, emphasis added)

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  (Mt 11:12)

. . . strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”  (Ac 14:22)

The better you know God, which is a consequence of studying the Bible and spending time in the presence of the Lord, the greater courage, strength, and boldness you’ll have to serve Him. 

  • You’ll have boldness to be His ambassador on the earth, enforcing the will of God on earth as it is in Heaven. (Mt 6:10) 
  • You’ll have courage and authority to step out in faith and heal the sick, preach the Word, and to testify of God’s love for all mankind. (Deut 31:6; Ps 27:1; 56:3-4; Isa 41:10, 13; Mt 10:1; Mk 6:7; 10:8; Lk 9:1-2; 10:19)
  • Lastly, you’ll have the strength and perseverance needed to pass through tribulations, and to enter the kingdom of God. (Ac 14:22; Col 1:11; Phil 4:13; Ro 15:5)

Deepen your relationship with the Lord so that you KNOW Him deeply; and become bold, strong, and courageous today!

God Heals the Brokenhearted

God Heals the Brokenhearted

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.  (Ps 34:18)

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  (Ps 147:3)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed . . .  (Lk 4:18, emphasis added – see also Isa 61:1)

In the verse above, a “contrite spirit” means someone who is crushed in spirit; emotionally beaten down; or someone who has had all hope taken away from them.  The term brokenhearted would truly apply to someone like that.  The Word of God says that God heals people who are brokenhearted!

When the Scripture says that the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (bandages the wound), this in itself is a source of comfort and encouragement.  For when the Lord gives a person a “bandage,” it is not the stuff of flesh and blood.  His bandage contains the healing balm of His presence and the supernatural power of God!  He is the Lord our Healer (Ex 15:26d)!  Hallelujah!

He, alone, is able to heal every condition, and every complaint.  Jesus is the balm of Gilead who miraculously heals all who come to Him.  (Ps 30:2; Mal 4:2a; Mat 8:17; 1 Pet 2:24)   He repairs and redeems every situation to the glory of God.  All that we need to do is to invite Him into the situation through prayer.

The Lord has the power and the desire to heal physical illnesses; mental conditions; financial shortages; and even relationships.  Just look to the One who says:  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  (Mat 7:7)

Here are some other Bible verses that will encourage your faith and sustain you in times of trial, pain, or difficulties.  These passages testify that Jesus is able to resolve every challenge, trial, and situation.  He protects us and strengthens us, and gives us His Word to rely upon.

  • The Lord is our shield and our reward. (Gen 15:1)
  • The Lord is our strength. (Ps 18:1, 32)
  • When we seek the Lord, we shall not lack any good thing. (Ps 34:10b; 84:11)
  • With God all things are possible. (Mat 19:26; Mk 10:27 – emphasis added)
  • All things are possible to the one who believes. (Mk 9:23 NASB)
  • All of God’s promises in Christ to us are “Yes” and “Amen.” (1 Cor 1:20)
  • The Lord has pleasure in our prosperity. (Ps 35:27)
  • He brings out those who are bound into prosperity. (Ps 68:6)
  • Those who trust in the Lord will be prospered. (Prov 28:25b)
  • Is ANYTHING too hard for the Lord? (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:27 – emphasis added)
  • God’s blessings upon us make us prosperous and He adds no sorrow to it. (Prov 10:22)
  • The Lord is our reconciler, mediator, and peacemaker. (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24)

Pray for Backsliders to be Healed

Pray for Backsliders to be Healed

Many believers either know someone or are related to someone who accepted Christ as their Savior, but then they fell away from their faith and stopped living for the Lord.  The Bible refers to such folks as “backsliding children.”  It’s important that we pray for these brothers and sisters to be restored to the joy of their salvation.

(14) Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you.  I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”  (22) “Return you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.”  (Jer 3:14, 22)

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.  (Hos 14:4)

The Lord says that He will heal their backsliding; and He said that He is married to the backslider!  Wow!  What a statement of commitment on God’s part.  This tells us that He will not give up on anyone, but He will continue to woo them with His love, forgiveness, and mercy. 

Hosea 14 says that He loves them freely, and He yearns for them to return to Him.  It is a very loving thing for us to pray on behalf of our friends and relatives who are turned away from the Lord for a season. 

Pray fervently and with complete faith, for these verses give us assurance of God’s wholehearted cooperation with us.  This increases our faith.  What a good and sound basis for prayer!